Esotropiart

I never foresaw myself as a teacher or a preacher. As I'm writing these very things I take pauses with closed eyes and come near to tears. Yet perish the thought that I remain silent, and I cannot! In my adolescence I was intentionally stoic in demeanor. I wrongly thought emotion was a sign of incredulity. I didn't know how to let anyone in because I felt the only person who rightly belonged there was God Himself. Okay, so that sounds like a pretty good justification for such an ideology: WRONG. Who am I to dictate what is right and wrong? Very true indeed. Who am I?

I'm no teacher, though my precious Great Grandma Pauline Shanks would put in a word for me. Why? I don't know. However, if I forget this word locked in my heart since childhood, I cease to be human, I forget my God and am as good as dead. Wow! What?! Yes. When I was young, I greatly admired my Great Grandmother. Who doesn't? Well, this is different, I dare say. The woman was a child of God, a light like no other in this generation (I intend to tell this story in more detail). My family seems to be gifted with these sort of gems.

The question is, what becomes of those of us left behind in this ever darkening world? For goodness sake, let's live up to the pure and good calling of God! Isn't He as much accessible to use today as He was to our forefathers? A week ago I might have coyly answered such a question, siting examples of Billy Grahams and those with apostolic authority and near blameless living. "Look at the cruddy generation we are all part of, yokels" I might mutter under my breath. I don't think I'm the only one who feels this way.

Who are we, men and women? Are we not the very children of God? Are we not called out of darkness as much today as Peter, James, John and Paul were? Do we not have access to the same Holy Spirit of God without measure? Good grief, yes! Stop doubting! Forget Thomas, use me as your example from now on if you must! Doubting Me. I was blind, yet now I see!

Take heed, friends. It is not from the Holy Spirit of God Almighty that such deception and lack of boldness come! The stinking stupid power and authority of Satan is still at work in this world. This world is veiled in darkness, though it need not be so! As He-Man says with clenched fist, struck with lightning from above, "I have the power!" A bold declaration for fictional molded plastic, but not a deception at all for those who are alive in Christ! If fiendish fools and those that clench wealth and filth as their idols claim "power", who are we, the sons of God Most High to deny the gifts we are given!? I for one am sick of it.

The Deity of Creation, the Holy One with Unlimited Power and Dominion over all is our King. He is a Person. He is real. He is our risen Lord. Do you think the fatheads of this earth will stand up to the Mighty One in the last day? I tell you: NO. Neither will you nor I, except as His bondservants for eternity. He has called us brothers - and so we are - yet He is first in all and through all! Is this a threat? No. Yet let me share what the Lord has to say. We are not given to a spirit of fear, but One of power! There is no power in this creation with dominion over the soul, nor is there one who can rightfully influence a child of Light to dwell in darkness or be bound therein. Not one. No! No more. Let me tell you who the Masters of the Universe are. They are One. His name is Jesus. All powers will bow to Him - let's make it "Today"! No one said we had to wait. In fact, someone said we shouldn't.

Jesus Christ is Lord!

As an adult, I am neither a turtle nor an ostrich. I cannot keep people outside my rustic shell, nor do I wish to. I may be the world's worst communicator, unfit to be host of the bold witness for Christ Jesus my Lord. Nevertheless, I will not shut my face, or my bones will cry out and the rocks scream! By the blood of Jesus, I have the power! If I die for it, so be it. Jesus is my King. I am prepared to fight the darkness in myself, and then to challenge others to do the same. His kingdom come, His will be done in earth as it is in heaven. Shut the door, keep the devil in the night. No need to light a candle, it's already lit.

Wut up with dis? Huh? Why am I spewing all this stuff? Let me tell you I have asked for blessing upon blessing from God. In my utter depravity the Lord has answered my prayer. I asked for the same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead and the same anointing that the "holy" men of old received. Who am I to doubt His ability to fulfill this request? How many times I have doubted. I'm tired and in need of much rest, but I will not rest until I receive one. If I rest on my own accord, I am dead inside. My rest is in Him who made the heavens and the earth. He gives me more than enough sustenance. The Word of God is my food. His Spirit is my only company. All else has failed, yet I need no one else. I want, I lack, but He provides.

I dare to ask for even more, and I am humbled to the core and broken to bits when He answers with manna from heaven, a dispensation of purity and grace. Who am I? What have I done to be counted worthy? I am just another like you. You all have the same rights. My God doesn't play favorites. If He did, I'd be crushed. Receive Him, please, while there's still time. I beg you to ask, for He has much to give. I don't want Him all for myself, though I will not give Him up for anyone. Yet I plead with you to share. Let Him in. He offers You His hands, nail pierced and all.

May the Spirit of God bless these words to those who need to hear it. I was the one who needed Him the most. I heard Him speak, and I could not shut up what (whom) He wrote on (in) my heart.

I could not see Jesus and asked with tears to see Him. I am ashamed of my request. No one has seen God nor will see Him. Yet He has seen fit to give us His Spirit, who lives in us. We are His temple. The curtain has been torn in two! If someone claims to see Him, be careful. He will come like lightning, and we will be gathered in an instant to Him! Humble me more, so I am willing to accept Your dispensation, Lord! Forgive me for my weakness. I only want to experience Your presence. If I'm slain, then I die. But please don't listen if I ask You to relent. I am nothing without You, less than a handful of lost dust.

My God can do anything. What can yours do?

I could share a thousand verses today, for it was the Word of God that could not be locked inside me when I heard it. But one in particular inspired me to write this evening.

And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.

Romans 13:11-14 NKJV

I had no idea the expression high time came from the Bible. It fascinated me and resonated in my ears all day, among other things. God is very good, and to live in Him is the only sensible option.

So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Romans 10:17 NKJV

Sorry, another verse... couldn't help myself! :)